Season for Caring raises more than $767,000 for local families

On Thanksgiving weekend, we shared the stories of 12 local families, who have incredible stories of resilience in tough times. We asked you to make a difference in their lives.

Many of you have opened up your hearts and given something of yourself, something you no longer needed, purchased something new or have given a monetary donation.

This year, Statesman Season for Caring has raised $592,727.86 in monetary donations and another $175,125 in in-kind donations of goods and services. With $767,852.86, the 2017 Season for Caring is now the third best program year. We are about $73,000 away from having the best Season for Caring ever. Since 1999, Season for Caring has given $11.3 million to the local community.

The Ashour family, refugees from Syria, moved into their new three-bedroom apartment. Cindy Zavala, left, Operations Manager for Star Furniture watches Jana, 3, and the family opens gifts from the company. RALPH BARRERA / AMERICAN-STATESMAN

We have so much more to do this year and you have more time to give.

Each year, the Season for Caring partner agencies are tasked to help the featured families’ needs first but then help hundreds of other families they serve with basic needs such as rent, utilities, groceries, clothing, medical bills and transportation. Season for Caring is these nonprofit organizations’ emergency fund for their clients.

Season for Caring donations will be accepted through Jan. 31 for this year.

You can make your donation online at statesman.com/seasonforcaring. Click the Donate to Season for Caring tab. Or you can find a coupon in the paper each day to mail in your donation or mail it to Austin Community Foundation c/o Statesman Season for Caring, 4315 Guadalupe St., Suite 300, Austin, TX 78751.

Britt Sitzes of National Seating and Mobility shows Haji Mada how to operate his new power chair. NICK WAGNER / AMERICAN-STATESMAN

This Christmas season has been an amazing one for the families featured in Statesman Season for Caring program.

Many of the families still have needs. Check this list and see if there is something on it that you can give:

The Negron family celebrates after decorating the Dia de los Muertos altar at their home. The Negrons lost their father and husband, Jose, and an uncle in a car accident last year. NICK WAGNER / AMERICAN-STATESMAN

The Negron family,who lost their father to a car accident last December, need help with tuition assistance, a used car and car repairs to their existing car, living room furniture and a math tutor for Luis. Foundation Communities, 512-610-7391, foundcom.org.

Kenneth and Joyce Marvel have intellectual disabilities and are struggling to pay their bills.RALPH BARRERA / AMERICAN-STATESMAN

Joyce and Kenneth Marvel,who both have intellectual disabilities and are 74 and 65, need more in-home care for Joyce, who uses a walker, a medical alert system and new all furniture. Family Eldercare, 512-450-0844, familyeldercare.org.

The Sherwood family — Mom Trisha, 40, who has multiple sclerosis; son Alden, 16, who is in a wheelchair after brain cancer; and son Jacob, 13, who is on the autism spectrum — needs an accessible apartment, an assistance dog, help with rent and utilities, grocery store gift cards, art therapy and equine therapy, clothing, and gift cards to the movies or Game Stop. Any Baby Can, 512-454-3743, anybabycan.org.

Jazmyne Johnson, 24, is a single mother of three, from left, Nehemiah, 3, and twins Nakayla and Nyliah, 4. Nakayla has microcephaly, which has caused developmental delays.RALPH BARRERA / AMERICAN-STATESMAN

Jazmyne Johnson, 24, needs a car to transport her children to and from their HeadStart program, an apartment near Hutto and tuition assistance for her to go to college to pursue a career in biotechnology. Opportunities for Williamson and Burnet Counties, 512-763-1400, opportunitiesforwbc.org

Bertha Foster, 43, who is paralyzed from a series of strokes, needs assistance getting a large apartment so she can be moved out of bed more easily as well as a car for Donovan and driver’s education, and a cellphone for him and service. Meals on Wheels Central Texas at 512-476-6325, Ext. 159 or at www.mealsonwheelscentraltexas.org.

Lyric Wardlow works at Playland Skate Center. Wardlow spent most of her childhood homeless.Erika Rich for American-Statesman

Hawa Hassan, whose estimated age is 30, sits on the sofa with her three children inside their East Austin apartment. QILING WANG / AMERICAN-STATESMAN

Hawa Hassan, 30, who grew up in a refugee camp in Kenya, needs pots and pans and kitchen utensils, bedding, dressers, after-school tutoring for all the kids, a minivan with a wheelchair lift and driver’s education, and everything for a new baby. Caritas of Austin, 512-646-1277,caritasofaustin.org.

Lance Stumpf, the general manager at the Driskill, helps Adeline Jones, 6, as she lights the Driskill tree. Tom McCarthy Jr. for AMERICAN-STATESMAN

Nikki Jones, 35, who hascommon variable immune deficiency, still has many things on her list including a playhouse or swingset for Adeline, a backyard awning, foundation repair, a dish washer, toothbrushes, colorful adhesive bandages, help with medical bills, a small pet for Adeline, food delivery service, gym membership, and gift cards. Wonders & Worries, 512-329-5757, wondersandworries.org.​

Margarita Matias, 72, who is currently going through treatment for stage four ovarian cancer, watches television with her son Ricky Felix Perez, 46,who has an intellectual disability, cerebral palsy and testicular cancer. Erika Rich for American – Statesman

Matias family— Margarita, 72, who has ovarian cancer, Jessie, 60, who had kidney cancer, and son Ricky, 46, who has cerebral palsy and testicular cancer — need a wheelchair lift for their truck, ceiling fans, microwave, smartphones, Tejano music CDs, an electrical wiring upgrade, and a new window. CareBox Program, 512-296-2180, careboxprogram.org.

The Ashour family, refugees from Syria, sit at their new dining room table from Chair Whimsy.RICARDO B. BRAZZIELL / AMERICAN-STATESMAN

Ashour family has had many of their needs taken care of. They do need driver’s education for Al Battal. Interfaith Action of Central Texas, 512-386-9145, Ext. 7, interfaithtexas.org.

Rogaciano Rios Marcial, right, watches three of his children explore the family’s new three-bedroom apartment. NICK WAGNER / AMERICAN-STATESMAN

Rogaciano Ríos Marcial, 46, who lost his wife in May and is raising his four children alone, needs a TV stand, renter’s insurance, kids books and bookshelves, clothes for 10-year-old Alma, new shoes for all the children, a computer and Internet. Boys & Girls Club of the Austin area at 512-444-7199 or visit bgcaustin.org.

Marcelo Gracia, 45, who has Lou Gehrig’s disease, needs help with living expenses, more care expenses, a tablet and wireless printer for his son, Gael, who is his main caregiver. Hospice Austin, 512-342-4726, hospiceaustin.org.

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